Chapter thirteen

The hallway was dirty; when she walked in before the elevator closed behind her. She looked at her secretary, who came in after her.

'Good morning ma.' She greeted.

This wasn't really a good morning, look at this place and at 8, when the woman was supposed to resume at 7.

'What is the meaning of this, Lucy?'

She looked at her boss; confused and then Amber pointed to the hall way, she looked at it and looked away.

If Cassie had been here before her, she would have begun shouting.

'Sorry, ma.' She said getting to her desk about to call someone; just then the cleaner came in from the elevator; a middle aged woman; she bowed her head as she got off the elevator and hurried past her before Amber could say anything.

She just shook her head and walked to her office and closed the door after her; sometimes some of her employees forgot their place; just because she became familiar with them.

She had work to take care of before her meeting.

He smiled as he stopped in front of the building and looked up; he admired the structure; Amber did a good job managing this company; she really took after her dad.

He walked into the company; he felt oddly confident being here, unlike the last time he had to run out without Amber seeing him; but she was inviting him this time.

He snatched his eyebrows; a little reminder popped in his head that this is an official visit.

But he was going to see her; the way she worked.....was she as good as Apirl had called her?

He opened the left glass door and entered the company; he smiled; maybe he could get Amber sooner than he thought; he thought and smiled.

'Nicholas!' He heard at his left. He stopped looking at Amber's twin. did he forget Jessie worked here? Well, he didn't hope she'd last.

He smiled at her and she pulled herself into his arms and hugged him close, before turning her head to kiss his cheek.

'What are you doing here?' She said with a smile when moved back from him.

He shrugged. 'Work.'

'Or you came to see me?' She offered a suggestion with crazy smirk on her face.

He just smiled.

'You have my number and I was wondering, why you didn't call....that day you came for dinner at the house with Amber I thought...'

He put a hand on her shoulder, he didn't let her finish. 'I am here now, are you free?'

Her eyes lit and she nod.

He had fifteen minutes before the meeting; he had thought, if he came early, he could spend time with Amber before the man came; at least he could spend this few minutes with Jessie clearing her doubts about he and Amber.

He looked at the office, she came from; Apirl was not on her seat..... maybe she was busy.

Jessie led him to the canteen and they both bought drinks before taking a seat.

He placed the can of soda in front of him; he didn't want to drink but he just wanted something, so that Jessie wouldn't think he was in a hurry and reschedule their time that he was dreading.

'Hey, you haven't changed one bit.' She said as she opened her can soda.

He looked at her; not sure he understood what she meant. But Jessie elaborated for him.

'Your taste hasn't changed one bit; whenever we went out together; you would always order sugar; like you could get drunk with just a little alcohol in your system.'

He smiled and shrugged. He wasn't a lover of alcohol; he could hardly finish one bottle and two was the least he takes; before he passes out.

'I think I know the reason; maybe your dad was in the missionary?'

He laughed.

His dad wasn't a missionary or in the ministry, he just didn't take much drinks.

'How else can you explain; your high abstinence from alcohol....did he punish or threatened you....oh better yet locked you up?' She continued with a smile, which meant she was happy seeing him here.

He laughed. 'Come on, Jess, you've met my dad once; he wasn't a drunk and apparently I took after him.'

'How can you not like alcohol! You are a man.... Men loves to drink.' She told him; whenever they went out; he had always insisted on soda and she just thought she could trick him into having one beer and see what he is so afraid of. She had put a little quantity of beer into his soda; thinking he would not know but there was no reaction or effect; he however told her, he knew about it when he got to her gate; he didn't say anything earlier because he didn't want to spoil her fun.

'Apparently, not all men.' He told her.

She sighed as she held the can of soda in her hand; 'I haven't seen any man who takes a whole day to finish a bottle of beer.' She had seen Nicholas at her birthday party when Amber travelled out of the country; she had insisted he come for her party and when he did; she saw him every where but still sane and holding the same bottle while everyone else got drunk and even more excited. Nicholas had just been the odd one out of the crowd; one of her friends had asked her; why she invited him over ....She did just saw it as an opportunity to spend time with him, since his girlfriend was on a business trip and because she liked him too.

'Not my best drink. I love wines though.' He intercepted.

She shook her head. 'That doesn't really count, everyone loves wine.'

And she still likes him; he had been the first guy; she thought was too good looking and the first who saw her as she was, not her sister; he was the first guy, she ever liked that didn't like her back and the first guy that would pick her sister over her; even though with his eyes closed.

Jessie smiled at him remembering memories she and Nicholas shared. The first day they met; she had watched her sister excused herself to grab coffee but not without Amber telling her not to touch anything, when she saw her sit on her chair.

And this tall guy had come over with a smile on his face; whenever Amber came home; she always complained to her father that Nicholas was giving her a hard time with her job but her dad had told it is part of the learning process. She saw the way other ladies glanced up when he came into the room.

He looked so dashing; and suddenly a idea popped into her idea for a new project to add to her art collection.

She was going to paint him.

She did everything she thought her sister would do but he looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time

Immediately he said; 'Where is Amber?'

She knew he was the Nicholas; Amber would never smile at..... an annoying egocentric man like him; that was when she fell in love with him, at first sight and she had never fallen in love with anyone at first sight.

Everytime she came to the company; it was an excuse to see him but Nicholas had eyes for Amber; who didn't like him one bit....he knew Jessie liked him or he was pretending.

She had tried to get him to notice her but each time, he preferred running after Amber; the driving lessons...he volunteered, washing off the dishes....he always volunteered to help Amber, he always went on business trips with her. Then her dad insisted Amber do the trips alone; she used that opportunity to spend more time with him; maybe in her sister's absence, he could fall for her, but he didn't.

When Amber came back from her trip one day, everything changed; she noticed Nicholas wanted to be everywhere with Amber and one day; she had seen Nicholas and Amber kissing in the hallway, she had been so angry with her sister, that she didn't talk to her for days, Amber didn't even know why.

'Jess?' She heard her name. She blinked at Nicholas.

'What are you thinking? You seem so far away.' She heard the worry in his voice.

And he still cared.

'I'm sorry. So, how are your parents?' She asked.

Nicholas was a good friend; she liked being around him, he was fun, better than most of her friends, she hang out with. She had taken him everywhere; when he had left the house; she had called him as soon as she heard but he didn't pick her call. Maybe if he didn't act so nice to her, maybe if he didn't care about her, she probably would not have fallen for him.

Nicholas didn't speak for a few seconds;

'I lost my dad; a week after my wedding to Amber and my mom passed a few months ago.'

'Oh!'

'It's okay.'

'I'm so sorry. I didn't know.'

He smiled at her. 'It's okay.'

She nod and put her soda in her mouth, not before mentioning her observed.

'Why are you here?' She asked. He didn't come exactly to see her....his little sister works here; this was his soon to be ex-wife's company. Which was it?

'I have a meeting with the CEO.'

She knew who the CEO was, she is her twin sister, his soon to be ex-wife; she looked at him; did he think if he says it that way; it sound more better in her ears?

It didn't.

'What for?' She asked.

'The shipping that is supposed to take place in few weeks; I will be arranging the transport; I am here to speak with the owner of the cargo on how.....'

She nod her head over and over. She had been lectured by Cassie on how things were gone here for three good weeks.

Maybe she didn't need to blame him; work brought him here after all.

'So, what else are you engaged in apart of magazine and companies?' She asked, just this morning; she had seen him on the sports magazine cover and a slim model in shorts.

He smiled. 'Just a small restaurant.'

'Can you take me there sometime?'

He smiled; of course, he could take her there.

She put her hand on his, that was on the table.

'I missed you.' Her voice low and then she heard the canteen door opened. Jessie was used to getting attention and she didn't mind creating a little drama to get what she wants.

It was Nicholas she wanted.

Nicholas smiled so innocently like he didn't have the faintest idea of what she was doing.

'I missed you too.' He put his hand on hers.

'Why did you have to leave like that?'

He shrugged. Honestly? 'I was angry because of the letter and I was glad I came across an opportunity.... maybe I just wanted Amber to miss me.' When he said the last phrase he smiled.

'You were gone for too long.'

He knew that and apparently a lot has changed. 'I didn't plan to, my work occupied my mind and I lost track of time.'

'Lost track of time, and couldn't call?'

'I am sorry, Jessie.'

She just nod; there was no use going back to the past, the present was what mattered.

'Now that you are here now, Nick.' She leaned closer to him.

He waited.

'Maybe we could go out one of this days...on a date, now that you and Amber aren't together anymore.' She almost wisphered.

He looked at her seriously this time; he knew Jessie liked him but it didn't mean she have to go against his coming back with Amber; who is his wife.

He pulled his hand from her drip and sat looking at her. 'Amber and I had a misunderstanding.'

'A misunderstanding that has caused the fall of your marriage; she doesn't want you anymore that is why she is insisting on a divorce. To move on with her life.' She continued.

'And you are happy about this; Amber is my wife, Jess and I'm not going to give her up without a fight.' He was upset she thought like this but he did not raise his voice although the employees were beginning to glance at their direction.

'Nick, I'm not saying....' She wanted to try again as she rested her back on the chair.

He raised a hand in her face, quieting her mumbling. 'I understand you would like us to be involved intimately but that is never going to happen. Amber is still my wife and I have promised myself to get her back.'

'Nick...'

Nicholas looked at her; maybe he shouldn't have let her kiss him in the first place, maybe he shouldn't have spent more time with her; maybe if he hadn't done those things, it would just be he and Amber, not Amber, he and Jessie.

Two were a couple and three was cheating.

'Jess, I like you only as a friend and it is going to remain that way; the only one I am ever going to love is Amber..... I would love it for us to still be friends and pretend like this conversation never happened.'

She paused and looked away for a second. Every flicker of hope she had with Nick had been dashed by his declaration. Nicholas was her friend and he had married her sister; didn't they deserve to amend their relationship and get back to together?

She sighed and touched his hand again lightly this time.

If she loses Nicholas because of this silly argument; she would never a friend to talk to and Nicholas was a good friend. she would stop but good luck with him getting Amber back but that didn't mean; she had stopped loving him; he could come back to her whenever he needed to talk, she had always be there.

'Fine, it never happened.... you will continue to be my friend... nothing more.' Her voice sad.

He smiled then. 'I am so happy I had this talk with.....' Then he checked his watch; it was 12:05pm. He was late.

'Alright, that date, I will search for convenient time and call you.' He said taking his still unopened soda.

He meant the restaurant thing, not an actual date.

When she grasped his meaning, she said; 'Okay.'

He stood up and touched her arm gently. 'I am not the best guy in the world; but I can be your boyfriend; if you need me.'

She looked at him, his eyes smiling. Then they looked down when she realized his meaning and she smiled. 'Call me for that dinner, I need a distraction.'

He nod and then kissed her cheek, making her feel the butterflies in her stomach.

'So much being just friends.' She said as soon as he excused himself.

She put the soda in her mouth and drank up. she noticed her co-workers looking at her; when they met her eye, they looked away.

Jessie scoffed. She didn't care about what they told; She knew the range of rumors that would start as soon as they were back in their office.

He felt better; he should have done this a long time ago. Now he felt relief; the other person he needed out of his way was Jake; he thought as he pressed the elevator closed.

He came out on third and the elevator dinged opened;

He reached the lady at the door by her desk.

'Yes, how can I help you?' She asked without looking up from her keyboard; her fingers tapped the keyboard vigorously.

'I have an appointment with Amber.' He said; maybe he should have said it more formal; Ms Pade but the Secretary looked up at him; her serious frown replace by a smile.

'Mr Mitchell!' She shrieked.

He almost jumped. 'Yes, that is me. Is there a problem?' He said half smiling.

She sat up, her eyes did not leave his. 'It's a pleasure to meet you sir.' She said as she extended her hand to him.

He shook the warm hands and smiled. 'Like wise, Lucy.'

She nod as she dropped her hand. 'Pheobe talks a lot about you.'

'Good things I hope.'

She nod; 'Yes, yes. She just says you are always busy, I tried to see you once but she refused to let me.'

He laughed; Pheobe was just looking out of him in her small way.

'Is Amber in?' He asked the main question.

She nodded still smiling at him.

'Her office?'

She pointed to the second door.

He nod and just as he was about to excuse himself; he heard her intercom ring.

She pressed answer button and Amber's voice filled the air, he smiled.

'Lucy, Mr David is on his way; prepare some biscuits, have them sent to the board room when he gets here; I have a few things to round up; tell Devin to call you when he gets into the building; then you tell me so that I can go into the board room. Mr Mitchell should be on his way and please make sure the board room is neat; I don't want to have to fire that woman because of her negligence to some offices...call the other cleaners, I will have a brief meeting with them before I leave and get three cups, coffee and sugar; Mr Mitchell likes sugar, I don't know about Mr David. Hurry up, remember the biscuit; he should be here in ten minutes.' And then she cut off.

Nicholas watched Lucy scribbled down something.

'I will go to her office.' He said as he saw her walking out of her seat.

She nod and smile before entering into the elevator.

She sighed and dropped the cord of the phone; meetings were tiring. There was a knock on the door.

Didn't Lucy understand everything she said?

'Come in.' She said as she went back to her work.

The door opened and closed. 'Lucy, I..... I have been....' She stopped talking.

She stared at him for a few seconds as he approached her and took a seat without invite.

'I thought you would be late.' she told him.

Pheobe had said; he might be running late when she called at 11:30 to remind him in case he forgot.

He smiled. 'The meeting ended early, so I thought I come over instead of waiting until it was the time of the meeting.'

'So you were here before twelve?' She asked; maybe he didn't have things to do.

He nod. 'I met Jess, we chatted for a little bit.' He said carefully omitting the details of what they talked about.

She just nod, she didn't need any information.

'I brought something for you.' He said as he dropped the soda in front of her.

She looked at the soda. 'You didn't have to. I'm fine.'

'Your definition of fine is far different from my definition of fine, Amber.' He said and folded his arms.

She sighed. Sometimes it was useless talking to him.

'Can I help?' She heard; he always wanted to help but she didn't need his help.

'I am sure, you noticed I was busy before you came in.....so please be quiet and let me round up.'

He nod and then stood up, he walked to the door and back.

'What are you doing?' She asked when he walked towards her.

He looked at her. 'I don't like sitting idle.'

'Then should I give you something to do? If you had just come at the time you were expected; you won't be idle.'

'I did actually but it turned out the man in question is late.' He said as he stood in front of her, not smiling.

She sighed. 'Alright, I'm sorry.'

He just nod; he didn't need her to apologize, but since she did; he sat on the visitor's chair.

'If you kept walking like that; I wouldn't get any work done.' She told him.

He nod, he understood that, he couldn't work with someone in his office either.

He picked one of her pens and a piece paper and put it in front of him. She looked at him; wondering what he was doing.

'I will just sit here and be quiet. Not a sound.' He assured her.

She looked at him one time and she wasn't focusing because of the man in front of her; with a pen and paper, sometimes, he would raise the paper up, sometimes the pen; he was a big distraction; there wasn't any sound he would make that wasn't noise to her ears;

She closed her eyes; trying to read through what she had been reading before he came and she hasn't been able to get one sentence yet.

The meeting ended at 2:00pm; with Nicholas and David wrapping up the final details for the transfer.

After the three of them signed; Nicholas took his contract copy, gave David his before handing Amber hers but Nicholas didn't leave as soon as David did; although he didn't say anything; he just stayed in her office and watched as she spoke to the cleaners.

She had just started when she heard a phone ring; she looked round for where the call came from; Nicholas brought out his phone from his pockets, looked apologetical at her, before answering and placing the phone in his ear.

'Yes, Pheobe.'

There was a pretty long pause before Nicholas answered.

'Right, I am on my way.' Then he hung up.

He stood up with looking at the four cleaners.

'Amber, I have to take care of something, I will see you later.' He said before he walked out.

Amber looked at the cleaners who were murmuring; what were they thinking that she and her partner; who she just met had a thing?

She was the one telling herself this not them.

'As I was saying...'

She start the engine again but it didn't answer or respond;

She pushed the honk in anger; how could she not notice this? Now, her car stopped in the middle of the road; but she was lucky to driven it to a side before the engine failed completely like now.

Cassie wasn't back from the meeting with the China representative, therefore she wasn't in the country at the moment; Maxwell accompanied her to keep her company because he had free time on his hand; since his assistant took care of everything; Cassie had called it another honeymoon.

And there was no way she could call Susan; she lived miles from here and at this time 9pm, she would be at home.

She would have called a cab but cabs didn't pass this area and even if they did; they don't carry any passengers until the next bus-stop; what had possessed her into passing this place?

She just thought she could beat the traffic before 9 but here she was stranded.

No, she shook her head. She wasn't stranded.

She dialed a number. It picked on the first ring.

'Hello, Jake?'

'Yes, Amber.... it's me.'

She couldn't be happier to hear his voice right now. Although she hadn't called him since the dinner at her parent's and his voice message... She have been busy, work, Nicholas....

'Jake, where are you?'

She heard him scoffed. 'Really, Amber? You don't call me for a week and you call and ask me where I am? How is that going to help you?'

She sighed, a lot actually. She was sorry. She have busy with work. 'I am sorry, Jake. I have been going through a lot of stress lately.'

'Stress? Maybe you wanted to say Nicholas Mitchell.'

She heard him; then she knew he had so badly wanted to say it and he did. She haven't see him act jealous before; maybe Amber, he hasn't really seen a competition like Nick....and have you seen Nick!

Yeah; he had the body of a model, he was hot; she answered herself.

Amber, wake up! Stop comparing, you are dating Jake now, Nicholas is not in your life anymore.

She knew the truth, reality didn't need to wake her up everytime she wanted to dream.

She smiled on the phone. 'Jake, I am sorry. I really am; Nicholas have been showing up and he is actually helping me with our transportation to get the cargo.'

'You guys had dinner...' Jake mentioned.

How could she forget! 'Jake, I was hungry and he offered to buy me dinner.' She was deliberately omitting the part of telling Jake how he had said he wanted to have her back; if he was reacting this way; she could imagine how he would react if he found out.

'Where did you meet?' He said sternly.

She knew she owed him the truth but if she didn't call him for one week, why didn't he bother to know how she was doing....not call her only when he needed help.

But she didn't tell him any of this. 'Jake, please, do not ask me any of these questions; if you wanted so badly to question my loyalty to you, you should have call me or come to see me to clarify, rather than over the phone.'

He sighed, reasoning what she said; 'Alright, I'm sorry. Why did you call?'

She wanted to tell him but after what he said; she didn't feel the need to see his face but.....She just wanted him to know, her state right now, in case he had one of his silly questions.

'My car broke down.'

'You should call the mechanic. Where are you?' He said immediately she stopped.

What does he take her for? 'No services until morning.'

'So, what will you now? My brother used my car and isn't back yet.' He explained, not that she was interested.

He threw her question back at her, when she looked for help; there was no need. 'It's fine. I will figure out something.' She told him.

'Was that really why you called, Amber?'

He didn't trust her, he didn't even believe that her car really broke down and he was asking like he was busy and needed to get back to it. 'Nothing, I just thought that since I haven't called for a while, I should just use this opportunity.' She said with a lazy smile; she didn't get why guys have to always get what they wanted; especially Jake.

'If you are not too busy.....'

'Actually, I am busy, I will you let you get back to your work while I get back to mine.....if I am free tomorrow.... I will give you a call....good night.' She pressed end and removed the phone from her ear.

They had fought before, but it haven't been about a guy; it was because of money he asked for and she couldn't give or a place she wanted to go with him but he couldn't.

Relationship has its own hurdles.

She had ended the call; not in an angry way but busy and didn't want disturbance. But she was angry he could trust the stupid stories his friends told him rather trust his girlfriend. He knew who she got married to before he decided to date her and she didn't lie to him until now because it concerned Nicholas and she didn't tell him because she wanted to know how far he'd go for her to be with him again.

She dropped her phone and looked at her rear mirror; it was still dark and she wasn't home yet but out in the dark.

She was trying to get away from him, but instead nature kept pulling them back together but how could she explain this to Jake without him becoming angry.

She dialed the number she saved as Nick.

He picked on the second ring.

'Hello?' He sounded tired.

She didn't speak for a second; maybe she was making the wrong decision, maybe she should just call someone to come pick her up? A mechanic, a cab driver.....these people were down for the night and did she forget to mention the road was dangerous and she was a lady!

She swallowed.

'Amber?' She heard her name.

Then she remembered, she was still on the phone.

'Nick, I am so sorry to disturb you right now.'

'It is no problem, what is it?' She heard the quiet and patient voice and she heard a honk; he was still on the road; what if he had already gotten home? The Nicholas she knows will still come back for her.

'Nick, my car broke down on third street. Can you please come pick....me up.'

She heard him hesitate like he was thinking about asking something. 'Alright, just stay inside, lock the doors. when I come; I will honk three times; don't open until I come over, okay?'

She nod. 'Yes, okay.' Then she felt better and did as he said.

It seems like forever before he got here and honked three times, before coming over to knock on her window glass; she called him first before winding down, once he reached to answer the phone; she opened her door and she took her bag with her.

'Are you okay?' He asked her; when they were in the car.

She just nod; eager to go to her house.

He didn't say anything until he got to the house and packed.

She looked at him. 'You wanted to ask me something earlier.'

He shook his head and smiled. 'It's nothing, I figured why you were there in the fast place.'

She looked at him and realize, he was talking about how she got to that street.

'Would you like to stay for dinner?' She asked. Maybe she'd regret asking that later.

He had helped her than once; maybe it wasn't too much to suggest he stay for dinner; she knew he lived with his sister..... maybe she had something prepared for him; by the time he got back. Or was she going too far; in her mind, this was a simple polite gesture or Nicholas could turn her down....that he had other plans on how to win her over on his own terms.

'Yes, I'm quite hungry.' He told her instead.

They walked out of the car and were greeted by their favorite dog and they went into the house.

She went straight to her room as Nicholas made himself comfortable downstairs with Skye.

When she came down, she had pulled her earrings and her wrist watch and she went to the kitchen.

Nicholas dropped Skype and walked to the kitchen; this wasn't on his plan list but it was perfect; just the two of them.

'I can help.' He said rolling his sleeve up his arms.

She looked at him; the reason she liked calling him; the chef was because he liked being in kitchen; even though he couldn't do more than Cook a few meals; he liked to be in the kitchen, among delicious recipe, a perfect combination; she wondered why he was in food business.

'Sure.' She said with a smile.

'You slice the onions, chop the carrots and chop the vegetables.' She pointed to what was on the table.

He smiled at her before moving over to wash his hands. Amber looked at him, as he looked so excited. She remembered the last time they were in the kitchen; most of what they made were on the floor.... basically; Nick loved food fights and he had carried her to their room in his arms, kissing and caressing her until he made love to her and he was the one who made dinner; noddles, carrots and eggs. Very simple.

He began rubbing his eyes, as he sliced the onions.

'Sorry.' She muttered behind him as she moved to take her position by the pot.

'Don't worry I can take it.' He said, closing his eyes.

'Do not cut your finger.' She warned and then he opened his eyes.

Dinner didn't take too long; she served Skype her dinner and moved to seat with Nicholas on the table; he was sitting exactly where he sat when he was here besides her. Jake liked to sit at the head of the table; Nicholas didn't like it, because it wasn't close to her, seeing she was sitting at the side. But whenever they had visitors that were younger; he sat at the head of the table with Amber beside him and when her parents were over, her dad usually sits at the head of the table.

She sat beside him; and put the table napkin on her laps.

'How in the world, could you run a restaurant as big as that, when you have neither the time nor passion to cook?' She said half smiling; she didn't want to ruin his mood but they have to talk about something.

He smiled at her and went back to the food; as if thinking for continuing or walking out; she thought until she saw him look into her eyes.

'My mom passed when I was away.....' He paused as if getting a hold of himself.

She looked at him, she didn't know; she had met his mom several times and she loved the young petite blond woman and she loved her back like her own daughter, taught her most of the meals she makes. Mrs Mitchell owned a small restaurant she managed on her own. Amber had never actually seen the place, she heard how it was from Nicholas but after he walked out on her; she lost contacts with her in-laws until Apirl showed up nine months later and she asked for a job; she had employed Apirl but she had told herself, she didn't need to know about her life.

Mrs Nelly Mitchell was gone.

She looked away from him, 'I didn't know, I'm sorry.'

He smiled; there was no way she would have known; his mom didn't have a personal phone, one could only reach her through the restaurant phone in her office or the house phone and few months after he left, he made sure she was bed-rested and at the hospital.

He put his hand on her hand, that she placed on the table.

'I didn't have time to see her before she took her last breath, she had spoken to me on Apirl's phone that day before she left. But I'm glad she is at peace now, resting and at peace.

She wanted to ask what was the nature of her illness, she remembered she often complained about her heart when Amber was with her. She turned to him; she wanted so badly to hug him and tell him everything was okay but she restrained herself; reminding herself this was a friendly gesture for what he had just done for her.

She put her hand on his hand that was on hers. 'I am sorry for your loss, she was a great woman, I loved her.' She said even though she knew it would make no difference and since it has been eight months since she passed.

He removed his hand from hers and continued his meal.

'When I came to the country, Apirl said; she was unable to manage being both the manager of mom's restaurant and her final papers....so I got an idea.... called Max told about the restaurant and a brilliant idea expand it. Then he said he needed a space for his caters to work and I needed money to foot my bills.'

'And there I was thinking you were a chef now.....it would have looked good on your resume.' She smiled.

'Being a chef is not my thing, I can help but cooking; I will smell delicious and I need to keep the ladies away from me.'

She rolled her eyes at him. Keep the ladies away from him, hmm. He never changes.

'Then how did you get involved in modeling?' She asked. She reminded herself that these questions were just to keep the table lively.

He smiled; he loved that she cared about him, about how far he had gotten in his life.

'Valentine, is a friend of mine. We worked together for a modelling agency back in school; I met him at the airport about to collect my luggage but the foolish man took it, before I had the chance to grab hold of it.'

Amber smiled. Another thing she loved and missed about Nicholas was; he had a way of making every tale interesting no matter how ridiculous and insane it might sound.

'The guards at the airport walked to us, asked him why he held my bag from me; because I was angry at him when I recognize him. He simply told the guys that it is non of their business that he and I had business to settle. Then they threatened him, trying to grab the bag from his hand. I just simply told them that the man sometimes had lose knots in his head.' He smiled. Valentine like telling everyone that particular story of their life.

'What did they do?'

'I apologized on Valentine's behalf and he still did not give me my bag until we had dinner and drove me to my apartment.'

She finished her meal and took a sip of water. 'You guys must have been really close friends?'

Nicholas nod. He missed seeing her smile; it made her eyes light up and made her look insanely beautiful. He turned his chair to face her and he moved it closer to hers, Amber looked at him and her gaze dropped his lips; she remembered how he wanted to kiss her before Carla showed up and how she wants to kiss him right now. She looked at his eyes quickly before he noticed.

'I wanted to come home to you that day, Amber. I really did but your parents were at home and I wasn't sure if I came back, you would want me.' He told her, as his hand touched her cheeks gently.

Valentine had drove past the house; he had said; the house was fine that the architech did a good job; when they passed, he heard Skype barking and she had stood on the porch until Valentine's car took a turn on the left.

'I just missed you so badly, I wanted to see you.'

She looked at him. Why didn't he? If she asked this; it would just be like go round and round in a circle, never moving forward. She moved forward, why can't he do the same?

'I moved on.' She whispered.

He moved close to her face. 'I still love you, Amber.' He whispered back.

She closed her eyes, remembering how many times, he had said he loved her before he left; if he loved her; he wouldn't have believed that paper, If he loved her, he would have trusted her and if he really did love her, he wouldn't have gone.

'I loved you but see what happened.' She said and stood up taking the two plates with her.

He clenched his hand; he didn't know if he was doing this wrong; maybe if he stopped bringing up what happened between them, Amber would loosen up around him; maybe she'd talk to him more, about her feelings for him instead.

He sighed. He was ready to try everything and anything.

She smiled at him as he stood at the door.

'Thank you for the ride, I will fix my car soon.'

'I am ready to do it anytime. Thank you for dinner, I enjoyed it.' And the small talk.

She smiled and looked away. 'Any time.' it was actually the truth, since they could be civil, she could entertain him anytime.

'Amber.'

She turned to look at him.

'I am going to move on, no more bringing up past memories, bad memories. I am going to create better ones.'

It took her a few minutes to realize he was talking about their marriage. She didn't know what to say, whether ensure him, she was still in for it or.....

'I'll take my leave now.' He interrupted her thoughts, he didn't want her thinking of a no or a probability. He had hopes that she loves him and she wants to be with him again and he will make her realize that and accept it.

She smiled at him and suddenly she felt like touching him but wouldn't that be too much, wouldn't she be encouraging him, give him a yes?

But her heart didn't listen.

She moved towards him and gently kissed his cheek, she stayed there for a few minutes before moving away.

'Thank you for tonight.' She said and turned back to the house taking Skype with her.

He watched the close door; she was beginning to warm up to him; that meant he was doing a fine job; maybe he needed to apply Lucky second stage; flowers.

But Amber didn't like some flowers.

She sighed as she heard his car drive away; what was that?

She smiled and walked up the stairs; it was a way of saying thank you.

Yeah, right!